Chris Gayle ‘sorry’ for ‘drinks’ offer to female interviewer, after being fined $10,000

Flamboyant West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has said “sorry” to a female interviewer for proposing to have a ‘drink’ after a Big Bash match in Australia, after he was fined (Australian) $10,000 for what many called ‘inappropriate comments’ during the brief, live chat in the middle of a T20 match.

Melbourne Renegades opener Gayle, who spoke to sports reporter Mel McLaughlin of Channel 10, said he didn’t mean to be disrespectful to Mel.

“A simple joke. It seemed to went out of portion. There wasn’t anything at all meant to be disrespectful to Mel. If she felt that way, then I feel really sorry for that. There wasn’t any harm meant in that particular way. It was a simple joke,” Gayle told reporters, a day after the chat during which he said he was seeing Mel’s eyes for the first time.

While speaking to reporters, Gayle made an abrupt exit from a brief ‘apology’ media statement.

Gayle asked the veteran sports journalist for a drink after the Big Bash League game in Hobart on Monday night and then proceeded to tell her “don’t blush, baby”.

After answering Mel’s initial questions about his performance and on-field partnership with Australian Aaron Finch, 36-year-old Gayle said: “’I wanted to come and have an interview with you as well, that’s the reason why I’m here… to see your eyes for the first time. Hopefully, we win this game and we can have a drink after, don’t blush baby.”

Mel, who appeared visibly uncomfortable as a result of Gayle’s remarks, said, “I’m not blushing”, even as she continued with the brief interview.

After being asked about an injury he suffered, Gayle said he hoped to stay on the field for the remainder of the series, before adding: “Hopefully I can recover and look in your eyes.”

The Channel 10 host quickly ended the interview after the West Indian’s final comment, wishing him luck for the rest of the tournament.